Social Concerns
Summer Fellowship

Sociedad Amigos de los Niños

Location Details

Description

We are a non-profit organization dedicated to transforming lives through love. More than just meeting basic needs, our mission is to provide each of our beneficiaries with dignity, hope, and the tools for a brighter future. At the heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to showing love in action—through care, education, healing, and presence. When you come to spend time with us, you’re not just offering your time—you’re becoming part of a community that believes every person is worthy of being seen, heard, and uplifted. We also run educational institutions, including a kindergarten, primary school, and technical institute, which serve not only our beneficiaries but also students from surrounding communities. In addition, we operate a hospital-clinic that offers a wide range of medical services, including general medicine, gynecology, dentistry, psychiatry, and more.

Student Role

The student’s role will depend on the program area they choose to volunteer in. Our three main areas of focus are Health, Education, and Residential Homes. In our hospital-clinic, students may participate in both day and night shifts, shadow healthcare staff across various specialties of their choosing, and accompany the hospital coordinator during rounds or with doctors doing fieldwork in the communities. In our educational centers, students can assist teachers in the classroom, support or lead workshops in areas such as welding and carpentry, give talks on life skills or professional development, and help with some administrative tasks. In our residential homes, students will work closely with children in their daily routines—helping with homework, doing laundry, making beds, offering English tutoring, cooking alongside the caregivers, and leading age-appropriate talks to help prepare them for the future. While most activities involve direct interaction and relationship-building with our beneficiaries. We are happy to offer a flexible experience based on the student’s interests and skills.

Work Schedule

Students can divide their weekly hours across different areas depending on where they choose to volunteer. For example: In the residential homes, students may assist the administrative team in the mornings—helping with filing documents, responding to emails, conducting supervision rounds, or contributing to improvement proposals for the homes. After lunch, when the children return from school, students can support them with homework, provide academic reinforcement, help tidy their rooms, and spend time playing or engaging in recreational activities. After dinner, students will have free time until the next day. At our educational center in Tegucigalpa, the typical work week runs from Sunday to Thursday, with Fridays and Saturdays off. At our educational center in Nuevo Paraíso, the schedule is from Monday to Friday, with Saturdays and Sundays off. In the residential homes and clinic, there are no fixed days off except for the administrative teams. However, students are welcome to choose two free days per week according to what works best for them and the team they are supporting. Overall, students are expected to engage in approximately 35–40 hours per week, with a balance between structured tasks and meaningful time spent directly with those we serve.

Orientation

We are fully open and committed to scheduling the two required Zoom meetings prior to the student’s arrival. On-site orientation will begin with a full-day session that includes a screening of a documentary film about our founder, Sister María Rosa, and the history of our organization. Following that, students will receive an orientation on institutional policies and specific guidelines for international volunteers. We will also conduct a guided tour of our programs, led by the coordinators of each area, to provide a broad overview and answer any questions that may arise. This portion of the orientation typically takes 2 days. Program-specific training will be carried out by the coordinator of the program the student chooses. They will be responsible for introducing the student to the day-to-day operations and expectations within that program. This training usually takes no more than 2 days. For weekly supervision, our Volunteer Program Coordinator will meet one-on-one with the student to check in on their experience, emotional well-being, weekly schedule, and any questions or needs they may have. On the same day, the Volunteer Coordinator will also meet with the program coordinator to review the student’s performance, discuss additional tasks or opportunities for involvement, and identify ways to improve the overall experience for both the student and the program. All meetings and evaluations will be documented in a weekly report.

Housing Information

In both of our locations, we provide on-site accommodations. In Tegucigalpa, we offer a fully equipped guest house that includes a private bathroom with hot water, a kitchen, air-conditioned living room, individual beds, towels, bed linens, and access to a washer and dryer. In Nuevo Paraíso, we have a larger visitor center with small apartments that include private bedroom and bathroom or larger ones that are private rooms and share bathrooms, access to washer and dryer. The kitchen is located in a shared area outside the rooms but is fully equipped with all necessary cooking utensils. Additionally, there is access to a washer and dryer at the Nuevo Paraíso site as well. Students will not be required to share their room space with anyone else. We prioritize the safety, privacy, and comfort of all our volunteers. In the case that a group of volunteers is on site during the student’s stay, the student will be informed in advance. While they may share common spaces such as the dining area during meals, they will still have their own private room and bathroom at all times.

Student Preferences

Students who demonstrate strong empathy and cultural sensitivity tend to thrive in our diverse and dynamic environment. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are valuable, especially when adapting to new situations and contributing ideas for program improvement. Good teamwork and collaboration abilities help students work effectively with staff and beneficiaries. Additionally, technological proficiency can enhance students’ ability to assist with educational activities, data management, and outreach efforts. Academic interests in fields such as education, social work, public health, psychology, or nonprofit management align well with our programs and can enrich the volunteer experience.

Start And End Dates

Eight consecutive weeks between May 17 and August 16, 2026. Students must choose the same 8 weeks.